MADE famous by lovable Cockney Derek Trotter in TV’s Only Fools and Horses, iconic Midland motor the Reliant Robin is making a huge comeback.

According to research by breakdown company Britannia Rescue, more than 8,000 of the three-wheeled wagons, formerly manufactured in Tamworth, are roaming UK streets.

About 2,500 of these have changed hands in the past 12 months as car enthusiasts have taken a lead from champion boxer Ricky Hatton who famously purchased Del Boy’s old yellow Reliant earlier this year.

The economic downturn and the model’s lightweight frame, which means owners need only purchase a cheaper B1 class licence, have also played a key role in sales of the vintage motor increasing by 23 per cent this year.

Emma Holyer, from Britannia Rescue, said: “The Reliant Robin is obviously well known from the Trotters’ van in Only Fools and Horses but also since Ricky Hatton bought the original one from the show.

“He’s very admirable and when people see celebrities such as Ricky buying these cars it does lead people to think they should have one themselves.”

A surge in the popularity of the Reliant is reflected by an influx of new members of the national Reliant Owners’ Club.

“They are also a very well-respected vehicle and they always turn people’s heads.

“We are getting new members joining all the time.”

The Reliant is not the only classic motor making a strong fightback with more than 65,000 vintage vehicles, including the Citroen 2CV, Ford Cortina, Hillman Imp and the Hillman Avenger, still up-and-running in the UK.

Andrew Beard, Britannia Rescue spokesman, said: “You only need to go online to see how much enthusiasm exists for these cars and it’s great to see that some of Britain’s less well-known classics are finally getting recognition among the general driving public too.”